It was a cold
winter night. There was a harsh wind ruining the joys and warmth of Christmas
eve.

Inside a temple
however, none were affected. Everywhere there was joy. Everyone was warm.
Then the clock struck twelve midnight.

"MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!"
they all shrieked in unision. Then they laughed. It had been a while since
they all got together like this.

Meanwhile,
a dark shadow flitted through the rough weather. He didn't know what dragged
him here but he did know that he had to be here. It was Christmas, that
he knew. It really wouldn't make a difference if he wasn't there. Everything
probably would be much better if he wouldn't come. But then...it had been
more than three years since he had seen them. No, he didn't miss them but
he did miss her.

"Yu *hic* suke,
pash me the shake." Atsuko commanded to his son.

Yusuke snickered
as he got another bottle for his mother. "Shake? You mean sake."

"Nye." Atsuko
said in annoyance as she poured herself another cup. She was there with
her husband - her new husband. They had married two years ago and now had
two children - Recca, one year old, and Yanagi, just months old. Somehow,
everyone suspected, this husband would last. They were so perfect for each
other.

"Botan-san."
Shuuichi, now a teenager, said. He had been figuring out the true meaning
of this holiday and hadn't found the answer yet. Botan was one of the oldest
beings he knew of so she should know. "What is the true meaning of Christmas?"

Botan shrugged
then smiled cheerily. "Now have some more cake."

"Kurama, when's
the wedding?" Genkai asked the reincarnated youko. There was a glint in
her eye, teasing him.

Kurama blushed
at that. He never thought that he would ever settle down. As a youko, he
had never even given it any thought.

Shizuru blushed
from his side as well. No one had expected them to get involved in a relationship
but they had. And marriage was coming up very soon as well. "In a few months,
baasan. We're still planning."

"Well, hurry
up then. I still want to see Kurama actually with kids."

It was meant
to tease but they knew that she was hinting them of her few remaining days
left.

Suddenly, everyone's
faces became dim. They didn't want to talk of death at such a happy event.

The door then
opened and a shadow flitted in with a whirlwind of cold wind and snow.
The figure stepped in the light.

They narrowed
their eyes and finally saw...Hiei!

It had been
more than three years since they last saw him. He looked the same except
that now, he wasn't wearing his usual black cloak but instead, wore a nicely
made black and white tunic.

Kurama chuckled
at his bestfriend, making Hiei glare at him. Hiei was still the same but
when had he suddenly developed his fashion? - even if it was Makai fashion
they were talking about.

Hiei slowly
moved towards Kurama. "Shut up."

Kurama stopped
immediately. Along with the stony way Hiei had said that, the fire demon
had also let his youki be felt by everyone.

Kuwabara and
Yusuke's eyes widened at that. Hiei was amazingly so powerful now. He definitely
was an upper S-class now and messing with him is a pretty suicidal thing
now.

"Hn." Hiei
muttered as he stole a brief glance at Yukina.

Kuwabara, who
had caught this, glared at Hiei. What could Hiei want from her? Then he
stared at Yukina. Yukina was...smiling? She was happy? He was shocked.
Earlier on, she had been so sad. Not even his poetry and his praises did
any good for the ice maiden. And now, Hiei made her smile? This was insane!

With that,
Hiei turned around to leave. All he wanted was to see her. That was it
and now he had to leave again so she would be safe; so she wouldn't be
harmed in any way.

As he was about
to shut the door behind him and leave the temple, Yukina stood up and ran
to him, stopping at only a distance from his turned back.

Everyone at
the temple were quiet as the intense moment for the koorime twins was going
on. Only Kuwabara and the others who didn't know of their relationship
stared in shock and confusion.

Hiei closed
his eyes. He knew it hurt her. He knew it hurt him. But there was no other
way. It could never happen...and it never will. "I must."

Without another
word, Hiei flitted away. She knew. He knew that but they both had never
said it directly to each other.

He was utterly
surprised when she suddenly flickered in front of him. She was as fast
as him. He stopped.

Everyone went
to the windows and peeked. It had been surprising that Yukina suddenly
vanished from their sights and had even stopped Hiei.

"Yukina, what
do you want?"

"I missed you."

Yeah, right.
No one should have missed him, not even her. Everyone was supposed to be
incapable of missing him; of caring for him.

But she had
and it hurt him even more so now that in this special day, she would be
sad. And so, he was going to do what he shouldn't do.

"Kyudai, 'I
said I missed you.'"

Hiei stared
in shock at her. He knew that she knew but to call him brother was another
thing. A very scary thing.

Both stood
in silence, staring at each other. The winds blew harder and colder but
both didn't seem to mind.

"I'm...sorry...for...being...your..."
Hiei said as he lowered his head.

Yukina shook
her head and came closer to him, tilting up his chin. "Having you here
was a great gift." She then took one of his hand and pressed it against
her cheek.

Hiei's features
then softened at that. He didn't want to say anything,afraid of breaking
the sacred moment they were in right now. But he had to at least acknowledge
her as well. Slowly, he recoiled his hand from Yukina's gentle grasp, putting
her hand down gently as well. He then reached deep inside his tunic and
retrieved the two teargems that hung from his neck. He took one out and
put it on Yukina's neck.

Yukina smiled
at that. It was official. And it even happened on a very special day.

"Yukina." Hiei
said softly. Carefully, he stroked one of her cheeks. "They don't know
this but happy birthday."

No one had
greeted her that day. No one except her twin. No one else knew. That's
why she was so happy. It was both their special day. "Happy birthday."
She then hugged him tight.

Hiei was surprised
as his sister suddenly hugged him. Was this a dream? Inside, he felt so
warm, all the scars and pain gone. He surprised even himself when he hugged
her back.

"Happy birthday."
he whispered again. "And Merry Christmas."

The winds raged
on and now, it had escalated to a snow storm. But still, the two slight
figures didn't let go, not minding anything or anyone else. It was the
perfect peace - peace against the harsh world.

"You said you
wanted to know about the meaning of Christmas? That is your answer."